Fail, Fail, Fail… to Succeed
Over the last two years, I’ve learned more about failure than I ever thought I would.
Injuries, missed opportunities, and self-doubt have all been part of my journey. In that time, I’ve suffered countless calf strains, a groin injury, and a hamstring problem.
Every setback was frustrating - not just physically, but mentally.
I ran 43 times in the last two years. The year before, I managed 37. Some runs left me in tears, as my calves didn’t hold up and it just felt like the end of my time playing.
But I refused to give up. Most runs left me haunted by regret - regret that I didn’t put in this level of effort earlier in my career. I’ve never been Premier League standard, but I’ve always struggled with self-confidence and belief. I can’t help but wonder: what could I have achieved if I had applied myself fully when I was younger?
But here’s the thing: every person who achieves something meaningful has failed countless times along the way. Success is built on failure, and I can relate to this completely through my injuries.
My recurring calf problems, I now understand, were caused by overtraining and overloading them too early. It has taken two years of careful, structured work to get back to a place where I feel strong and capable.
I recently completed my first 10K in over a year and for the first time ever, I improved my pace at each kilometre. This wasn’t about rushing back into matches or trying to do too much too soon.
This was about rebuilding slowly, strategically, and sustainably.
One of the biggest breakthroughs in my rehabilitation has been incorporating skipping into my training. It’s simple but powerful: it strengthens the calves, improves endurance, and enhances coordination. Alongside skipping, my S&C program has focused on:
Progressive Load Management: Slowly increasing running distance and intensity to prevent re-injury.
Calf Strengthening: Eccentric calf raises, single-leg hops, and skipping to build resilience.
Mobility and Recovery: Daily stretching, foam rolling, and targeted mobility drills to maintain flexibility.
Core and Posterior Chain Strength: Strengthening glutes, hamstrings, and lower back to reduce load on calves during running and football.
Controlled Conditioning: Avoiding the temptation to “push through” pain, instead respecting recovery and building capacity gradually.
What I’ve realised is that failing isn’t the opposite of success—it’s part of the process. Every injury, every disappointing run, every moment of regret has taught me more about my body, my limits, and my mindset.
If you’re struggling with setbacks, remember: slow, consistent progress beats rushing and overloading. Build strength where you’re weak. Train smart.
And embrace failure as a necessary step toward success.
Because eventually, after failing, failing, and failing again, you’ll succeed - stronger, smarter, and more prepared than ever.